Segment cutter

ABSTRACT

A segment cutter especially suitable for cutting segments from a paper tape such as an encephalogram or electrocardiogram chart which is of compact design and relatively simple in operation. The segment cutter comprises a flat working surface supporting diecutting edges upon which the length of paper is placed and which is held in place by a hinged platen member spring biased into the closed or overlying position with respect to the diecutting edges. A rolling pressure member overrides the entire paper chart or tape supporting surface and is mounted for linear movement through the entire extent of the working surface. The roller member is slightly spaced from the platen surface and when put in rolling contact therewith causes the diecutting edges to pierce the paper supported thereon to cut a segment from the paper web. Other embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.

I United States Patent I 13,566,736

[ 72] Inventors Ralph L. Johnson; 2,088,686 8/1937 Blanchard, Jr. 83/510X David M. Beveridge, Wheaton, lll.; Gene F. 3,213,737 10/ 1965 Wright 83/510X Kiela, Kohler, Wis. 3,237,499 3/ 1966 Lohrand et a]. 83/564X 5 969 Primary Examiner-William S. Lawson i M Patented Mar- 197 l Attorney ann, Brown, McWilhams & Bradway [73] Assignee Johnson 8: Quin, lnc.

ABSTRACT: A segment cutter especially suitable for cutting segments from a paper tape such as an encephalogram or electrocardiogram chart which is of compact design and relatively 54] SEGMENT CUTTER simple in operation. The segment cutter comprises a flat work- 10 Chums, 5 Drawing Figs ing surface supporting diecut ting edges upon which the length of paper is placed and which Is held in place by a hinged platen [52] U.S. Cl 83/510, member spring biased into the closed or overlying position 83/564 with respect to the diecutting edges. A rolling pressure [51] Int. Cl. 826d l/02 member overrides the entire paper chart or tape supporting ofSearch t. 10, fa e and i mounted linea movement through the en- 531, 564, 627 tire extent of the working surface. The roller member is slightly spaced from the platen surface and when put in rolling [56] References cued contact therewith causes the diecutting edges to pierce the UNITED STATES PATENTS paper supported thereon to cut a segment from the paper web. 1,208,019 12/1916 Roney 83/510 Other embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.

Patented March 2, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SEGMENT CUTTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The segment cutters of this invention generally pertain to the medical field wherein it is desired to cut certain parts from paper and the like charts and records in the web form. The types of charts or webs generally contemplated are those normally found in electrocardiogram and encephalogram areas of information recordation. Generally speaking, the average electrocardiogram test involves a strip of chart or paper some l feet in length. However, only certain small sections or segments of the feet of chart are important to save for permanent records. Generally, therefore, it is important to be able to extract these particular segments from the whole record and to place or mount them on a backing sheet type of member from which they may be studied and which provides a permanent type of repository for the short lengths of record cut from the long paper web.

The prior art has generally cut these segments from the paper web as by manual means employing the use of scissors or the like and in some instances has employed the use of lever-type diecutting machines which are cumbersome to handle, take up a lot of desk space and perhaps most undesirably provides a completely cutout segment which is disassociated from the remainder of the length from which it is cut so that it can be easily lost or confused with other out segments. Generally, the technician supervising the test will mark off on the side of the length of paper record what segments are desired to be saved. The prior art devices, by forming a full cut, disassociates the smaller segments from the remainder of the paper record and if the record is left for a short period of time before the segment is mounted it can easily become separated and lost from the identifying indicia and the technician then is put in the position of making a possible error in mounting the record. Additionally, the prior art apparatuses are provided with a single type of diecutting member which is generally smaller in size than those found useful and desirable by the medical profession. The devices of this invention obviate these shortcomings in that a perforated type of segment, by the use of noncontinuous cutting edges, is obtained which insures that the desired segment will not be separated from the remainder of the record, which bears the identifying indicia from which it is taken, until desired. The diecutting member is removable so that it may be replaced when worn, or alternately replaced with a different-sized die member for specific conditions and the diecutting member as well as the remainder of the apparatus is so adapted that smaller segments can be cut from the tape when so desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Basically the segment cutters of this invention obviate the aforedescribedshortcomings in the prior art and in an exemplary embodiment comprise a base member or working surface supporting a die member having cutting edges and which is adapted to receive a length of material from which a segment is to be cut. A platen surface member overlies the die member and has a configuration at least congruent to the cutting edges and is adapted to retain the length of material between it and the adjacent die member. An overriding pressure member is adapted to apply pressure to the platen surface member and to effect cutting of the segment from the length of material supported between the platen surface and diecutting edges. The diecutting edges are desirably noncontinuous or are those adapted to effect a perforation type of cut as opposed to a clean cut to thereby insure the retention of the segment in the length of web from which it is being cut.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view in partial cross section of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a partially broken away view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the die member suitable for use in the apparatuses of the invention with a top layer of rubber inlay removed for clarity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The various attributes of the apparatuses of this invention will be apparent from a review of the drawings taken in conjunction with the following commentary wherein like numerals of reference designate like elements throughout the several views. Referring specifically to FIG. 1 an exemplary type of apparatus or tape segment cutter 2 is illustrated in perspective form as comprising a unitary or one-piece base member 4 ideally constructed of a lightweight durable material such as stainless steel or aluminum. Base member 4 forms an upper generally planar surface 6 forming a working surface of a sufficient length to support a web of paper or similar material, not shown. In the approximate middle of surface 6 is die member 8 comprising, in this instance, parallel knife edges 10 and intersecting knife edges 12 to thereby form a rectangular shape. Intermediate the knife edges 12 is notched knife edge 14 and all of the knife edges are supported and retained in a suitable support with a rubber inlay 16 disposed therearound. Shown in the open or receiving position is platen member 18 of a suitable material such as spring steel and being hinged to upper surface 6 as by means of hinges 20 which have springs biasing the member 18 to the closed or overlying area with respect to the knife edges 10, 12 and 14. It will be noted that the hinged platen member 18 has a configuration at least congruent or mating to the cutting knife edges of the die member 8. This is desirable so that when a length of paper web is supported on the knife edges and retained thereon by the member 18 in the closed position, a substantially hard cutting or mating surface will be furnished when rolling pressure, as will be described, is applied to the top of the platen member 18. Base member 4 has two opposed slots 20 along the sidewalls 5, each extending substantially the length thereof. An overriding pressure application member 22 straddles the surface 6 and has a configuration at the upper portion 24 thereof suitable for grasping by the thumb and tingers of the human hand. Roller members, not shown, are adapted to permit linear movement of the member 22 from the end wall 26 towards the opposed end wall 28. Spaced from the surface 6 and secured within member 22 in rotatable fashion is a roller member or pressure applying member not shown. The bottom surface 30 of the slotted sidewall 5 (as is the opposed sidewall not shown) is provided with grooved-out portion such as 32 adapted to provide a resting or receiving well for the rollers of the member 22 to retain member 22 in somewhat stationary fashion. Suction feet 34 are provided at each of the corners of body member 4 so as to retain tape cutter 2 in a stationary position, as for instance on a desk or table top. Upper surface 6 is provided with slot 36 in which upstanding stop 38 is pivotally mounted and which is adapted to engage and stop member 22 in its linear movement toward end wall 28 on the tracks 30 formed by slots 20. In this instance stop 38 is shown in the raised position which will prevent the pressure applying member 22 from traveling its full extent and thereby preventing the cutting of a segment equal to the overall rectangular configuration of the diecutting edges 10 and 12. In this case member 22 is only permitted to apply pressure to the transverse knife edge 14 and those portions of knife edges 10 lying to the right of stop 38 to thereby form a smaller segment. Of course, when the stop 38 is in the down or unobstructing position the freedom of movement of member 22 is from end 26 to end 28.

The basic mode of operation is that the platen member 18 which is normally spring biased to the closed position is raised and held there while a length of paper web is positioned on top of the diecutting knives l0, l2 and 14. When the marked segment is properly positioned with respect to the knife edges (the picture frame configuration of member 16 facilitates this) the platen member 18 is allowed to come down on top of the length of paper tape or the like to retain same against the knife edges. Thereafter the pressure applying element 22 is moved from the end 26 to the end 28 either once or a plurality of times to insure that proper cutting takes place. Because the knife edges are sharp the application of pressure by the roller member within pressure applying element 22 will cause the knife edges to cut through where desired and engage the undersurface of platen member 18. The length of paper web may then be moved to the next marked spot for repetition of the cutting procedure. Because the knife edges are discontinuous the segment will be retained within the paper web adjacent its markings until ready for mounting on a permanent type chart or the like. There are various modifications to the exemplary tape cutter discussed above, one such being the obvious one, such as the dispensing with a stop member to prohibit the movement of the pressure applying member, since one need not depend on a stop but may depend merely upon the linear movement of the pressure-applying member to cut the smaller segment from the paper tape. Additionally, the material cut may be lightweight plastic and similar material; provision being made to use more desirable material for the knife edges, etc. where necessary. Other modifications will become apparent and the various specific details of construction will make themselves known with reference to the remaining drawings.

Referring specifically now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it is apparent that base member 4 is generally of hollow or integral wall construction configuration and is provided with interior cross members or depending wall portions 40 which may be formed integral with the upper wall or surface 6 or may be a separate member secured to the interior by means of brazing, welding or the like. Transverse member 42 provides in conjunction with member 40 a means whereby die member base plate 44 may be supported in rigid relationship within the slot 46 formed in the upper surface 6 of base 4. Pressure applying member 22 has outside depending skirtlike walls 48 adapted to receive two roller members 50 on each side thereof which roller members are adapted to ride within the slots 20 and roll freely on the surfaces 30 formed by slots 20 in the sidewalls of base 4. Transverse rod 52 supports roller members 50 and retains them on tracks 30 as by means of nuts 54 secured to the ends thereof. Within upper cavity 54 of member 22 are two depending integral wall members 56, retaining in rotatable fashion, as by means of shaft 58 and nuts 60, roller member 62 taking the form of a cylinder of substantially hard material such as rubber of high durometer rating. The cylinder 62 is appropriately mounted on shaft 58 as by means of ball bearings 64 in order to insure ease of manipulation. It will be noted that the cylinder 62 is of such size that it is just slightly spaced from the upper surface 6 of base member 4. By removing the nuts 54 and the shafts 52 it is apparent that the member 22 may be disassociated from the remainder of the apparatus. Once this is done the removal of the nuts 58 will allow removal of the roller or cylinder 62 for replacement and the like purposes.

Base member 4 is provided with appropriate legs such as 66 having suction cups 68 thereon in order to firmly retain the tape cutter 2 to a flat surface such as 70.

The platen member 18 comprises a configuration substantially at least congruent to the knife cutting edge that underlies when it is in the closed position. Platen i8 is of a generally rectangular configuration and is secured to the upper surface 6 by means of hinges secured to surface 6 by means of screws 21. The spring members 23 bias platen member 18 into the closed or flat position as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. Member 18 is ideally of a tempered or hardened spring steel material of a type satisfactory to take the abuses of having sharp edges, such as the knife blades 10, 12 and 14, repeatedly engaging the opposed surface thereof during the cutting operations. The edges of the member 18 may be slightly inclined or beveled so as to insure the rubber cylinder or roller 62 riding up on the top surface of the member 16, although finger pressure may be applied at either end when the roller is being placed in the pressure-applying position to insure this action.

The die member 8 generally comprises a plural layer of wood 9 in which longitudinal knife edges such as are retained as well as the transverse knife edges 12. It will be noted that knife edges 10 do not meet with the knife edges H2 at the corners thereof such as at 11 so a continuous cutting edge or surface is not provided. This has the effect of providing a paper segment which is not entirely cut from the web of paper from which it is desired to take it so that the cut segment will be retained within the paper web for easy displacement thereof by merely grasping the partially cut segment and separating it from the remainder of the web. it will be noted that perforating knife edge M is similarly supported as are knife edges 10 and 12 but in this case the projecting surface is notched as at 13 to provide a perforated type of cut in the paper segment. This may be desirable where a smaller type segment is preferred or it is necessary to have the one segment easily separable from the remainder of the entire segment at some later time and the perforation allows for this. Within and around die member 8, a substantial amount of rubber inlay as at 15 is provided and generally it will be of a high durometer characteristic similar to that used in the pressure applying member 22 (shown removed in FIG. 5

It is at once apparent that desirably die member 8 is constructed as a cartridge or replaceable-type member so that it may be easily removed from the supports 40 and 32 by merely removing setscrews 43. Thus, when the cutting edges of the die member 8 become dull after repeated usage the setscrews are merely loosened and the die member 8 removed from the supports 40 and 42 and replaced with a new member. Obviously the slot 46 in upper surface 6 is of sufficient size to accommodate at least the polygonal configuration formed by the knife edges.

Also, the easy removability of platen member 16 from working surface 6 insures that the cutting components of the device can be maintained in top-fligt working condition. After prolonged usage it may be found that the platen member 18 becomes deformed and will no longer function properly in which case it is easily removed and replaced with another. Where different size cutting edges are used, e.g., those that form a smaller or larger rectangle, it will, of course, be necessary to provide an equivalent sized platen member in order to obtain the desired cutting effect. It is only necessary that the platen member provide a mating surface for the knife cutting edges. Desirably, the platen member has picture frame characteristics so as to allow the technician cutting the segments from the web of paper full view of the entire record.

While specific details of construction have been illustrated and discussed, these have been merely for illustrative and disclosure purpose and is not to be taken as delimiting of the herein disclosed invention and various modifications will at once make themselves apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, all of which will not detract from the spirit and scope of the invention as measured by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A portable segment cutter and the like comprising a base member supporting a die member having cutting edges and adapted to receive a length of material from which a segment is to be cut; a platen surface member overlying said die member and having a configuration at least congruent to said cutting edges and adapted to retain said length of material adjacent said die member; and an overriding pressure member adapted to travel from about one end of said base member to the other end and to apply pressure to said platen surface member to effect cutting of said segments from said length of material, said platen surface member pivotally hinged intermediate said base member ends and movable to an open position and a closed position.

2. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said die member is of a cartridge-type easily removable from the supporting base member.

3. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 2 wherein said base member has a pair of opposed sidewalls, each having a slot therein extending substantially the length thereof to thereby form a track.

4. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 3 wherein said overriding pressure member comprises a hand-graspable member supporting a rotatable roller therein which is slightly spaced from the upper surface of said platen surface member and is supported for linear movement on said tracks.

5. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 4 wherein said platen surface member is of rectangular configuration and is secured to the base member in hinged relationship therewith, said hinges being biased into the nonnally closed position to maintain said platen surface member in overlying relationship with respect to said knife edges.

6. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 5 wherein said diecutting edges are in the shape of a rectangle and are discontinuous at their corners so as to be able to form a discontinuous cut and to retain a partially cut segment within the length of paper web from which it is desired to out said segment.

7. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 6 wherein a notched knife edge is positioned intermediate the ends of the die edges along the transverse axis of said segment cutter to provide a perforated cut in said length of material intermediate the larger segment cut from said length of material.

8. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 7 wherein a pivotable stop is mounted to said base which, when in the raised position, prohibits the linear movement of said pressure applying member past said notched intermediate knife edge and which, when in the down position, permits full linear movement along said tracks from one end of said base to the other. 3

9. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 8 wherein suction feet are secured to said base at the corners thereof to retain same in substantially rigid relationship with a flat surface and wells are provided at the ends of said tracks to thereby retain said roller members of said pressure applying means in a quasistationary position.

10. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 9 wherein said cutting edges of said die member are adapted in conjunction with said platen surface member to cut segments from paper tapes such as electrocardiograms. 

1. A portable segment cutter and the like comprising a base member supporting a die member having cutting edges and adapted to receive a length of material from which a segment is to be cut; a platen surface member overlying said die member and having a configuration at least congruent to said cutting edges and adapted to retain said length of material adjacent said die member; and an overriding pressure member adapted to travel from about one end of said base member to the other end and to apply pressure to said platen surface member to effect cutting of said segments from said length of material, said platen surface member pivotally hinged intermediate said base member ends and movable to an open position and a closed position.
 2. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said die member is of a cartridge-type easily removable from the supporting base member.
 3. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 2 wherein said base member has a pair of opposed sidewalls, each having a slot therein extending substantially the length thereof to thereby form a track.
 4. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 3 wherein said overriding pressure member comprises a hand-graspable member supporting a rotatable roller therein which is slightly spaced from the upper surface of said platen surface member and is supported for linear movement on said tracks.
 5. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 4 wherein said platen surface member is of rectangular configuration and is secured to the base member in hinged relationship therewith, said hinges being biased into the normally closed position to maintain said platen surface member in overlying relationship with respect to said knife edges.
 6. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 5 wherein said diecutting edges are in the shape of a rectangle and are discontinuous at their corners so as to be able to form a discontinuous cut and to retain a partially cut segment within the length of paper web from which it is desired to cut said segment.
 7. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 6 wherein a notched knife edge is positioned intermediate the ends of the die edges along the transverse axis of said segment cutter to provide a perforated cut in said length of material intermediate the larger segment cut from said length of material.
 8. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 7 wherein a pivotable stop is mounted to said base which, when in the raised position, prohibits the linear movement of said pressure applying member past said notched intermediate knife edge and which, when in the down position, permits full linear movement along said tracks from one end of said base to the other.
 9. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 8 wherein suction feet are secureD to said base at the corners thereof to retain same in substantially rigid relationship with a flat surface and wells are provided at the ends of said tracks to thereby retain said roller members of said pressure applying means in a quasistationary position.
 10. The segment cutter in accordance with claim 9 wherein said cutting edges of said die member are adapted in conjunction with said platen surface member to cut segments from paper tapes such as electrocardiograms. 